WIREDGOV

Thousands of 'cold cases' to be reviewed

HOME OFFICE News Release (146/2007) issued by The Government News Network on 10 September 2007

Four thousand more unsolved sex offence cases are to be reviewed as part of a £1 million cold case project, Home Office Minister Tony McNulty announced today. The Government has committed a further £350,000 to the review of unsolved rape and serious sex offence cases through the third phase of its ground-breaking cold case project 'Operation Advance'.

The project uses advances in DNA technology to re-analyse evidence from undetected cases of rape and serious sex offences committed up to 24 years ago. DNA profiles obtained are compared against the National DNA Database (NDNAD) for possible matches.

Advance III will work with the Forensic Science Service (FSS) over the next six months to review around four thousand cases which date from 1991-1996. When completed, it will mean that all unsolved serious sex offence case files from 1991-1999 will have been reviewed under this Home Office project.

To date, the project has reviewed over 11,000 cases leading to the scientific re-analysis of 423 cases and 116 matches against the National DNA Database. These have resulted in 30 convictions that together total sentences of over 150 years of imprisonment - in addition to four life sentences. A further seven cases are awaiting trial. Almost all of the offenders convicted so far have proved to be persistent and prolific violent criminals with offending histories that stretch from the present day, back over many years.

Tony McNulty said:

"Operation Advance is a hugely successful and pioneering project that over the past three years has brought 30 serious sex offenders to justice. Their removal from our communities has undoubtedly had a significant impact on community safety.

"Our message to perpetrators is clear - these cases are never closed by the police. We are determined to ensure that victims receive the justice they deserve and will continue to use advances in technology to help solve crimes, convict offenders and bring closure and relief to people who have had to live with the terrible effects of these crimes over many years."

FSS Forensic Scientist, Orlando Elmhirst said:

"Further funding for Operation Advance allows us to take another look at more cold cases and re-examine evidence using the latest DNA techniques.

"We will use the ground-breaking DNA techniques pioneered by the Forensic Science Service to review the evidence and hope to support the police in opening new avenues of enquiry on a number of cold cases."

Notes to Editors

1. The Operation Advance programme began in February 2004 and has since reviewed 11,215 cases, scientifically reanalysed 423 cases which have resulted in a total of 116 matches on the National DNA Database. Further details about the project can be found at http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/operational-policing/technology-equipment/forensic-science/Operation-Advance/?version=2

2. Operation Advance is sponsored by the Home Office Police Standards
Unit (PSU). To date, the Home Office has invested £691,000 in the first two phases of the project. A further £350,000 has been committed to Phase III. Phase III will involve the review of approximately 4,000 more cases.

3. The project is supported by the Association of Chief Police Officers
(ACPO) and conducted by the Forensic Science Service (FSS).

Advance cases

James Lloyd (shoe rapist)
James Lloyd, also known as the Dearne Valley Shoe Rapist, attacked a string of women between 1983 and 1986 and stole his victims' stiletto shoes. He was jailed for life at Sheffield Crown court on 4 Sept 2006 after he was trapped by a new DNA technique called 'familial' DNA searching. Lloyd was traced when DNA from his sister, taken when she was arrested for a drink driving offence, was matched to samples taken at the time of the offences. His conviction was hailed the biggest victory yet in a 'cold case' using this type of DNA evidence.

Lee Ainsby and Stephen Ainsby
In June 1995, a 17-year-old girl walking home late at night from Banbury was abducted by two men and driven to an isolated area out in the countryside near Ladbroke where they threatened to kill her before being raped by both of her abductors. In 2004, as part of Operation Advance, two DNA profiles capable of being searched against the National DNA Database were developed and one matched immediately to Lee Ainsby who had been arrested in 2003 for the minor offence of being drunk and disorderly when a DNA sample had been taken from him. Scientists realised that the second offender's DNA profile was very similar to that of Lee Ainsby which suggested that the second offender could be a relative. Police officers obtained a DNA sample from Lee's brother Stephen on a voluntary basis for elimination purposes. Before the result of the DNA test was known, Stephen Ainsby confessed to the abduction and rape. Both brothers pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for the rape and five years concurrently for the abduction.

Brian Keen
In 1994, a 23-year-old prostitute had gone voluntarily with Keen to a hotel in Altrincham. Once there, she had been overpowered, bound, blindfolded and gagged before being subjected to a series of assaults culminating in rape. Keen had booked into the hotel in a false name and displayed a high level of forensic awareness in trying to remove all traces of possible forensic evidence. He failed and in 2004, a crime stain was matched to a profile on the National DNA database which had been taken from Keen following arrest for a 'road rage' incident. In September 2005, Keen was found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment, indecent assault and rape and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

Paul Collings
In October 1989, a student from the USA was attacked by an intruder in her room at the University of Sussex, Brighton and raped at knifepoint. It was her first night in this country. Two months later in December 1989, another student was attacked and raped at knifepoint in her room, this time at the University of Kent, Canterbury. In 2004, forensic work under Operation Advance led to the development of DNA profiles which, for the first time conclusively proved that both crimes were committed by the same man. The crime scene DNA profiles were matched to Paul Collings who was later found guilty of both rapes and sentenced to life imprisonment.

020 7035 3852